Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Police Clear Occupy Camps in Philly and LA

The Occupy L.A. campsite near Los Angeles' city hall is "in shambles" this morning after police moved in to clear out protesters who had been ordered to leave, the Los Angeles Times writes. Tents have been "uprooted and strewn all over," the newspaper says.

Our colleagues at KPCC, who were live-blogging through the night, report that more than 200 people were arrested during an operation that involved about 1,400 police officers. It appears the overwhelming show of force, plus a strategic decision by police to divide up the site into several sections rather than to confront protesters with one solid line of officers, kept things mostly peaceful.

On Morning Edition, KPCC's Frank Stoltz told host Renee Montagne that it was "a massive police operation." Many of those arrested resisted passively and were carried or led from the scene by officers.

Only a few protesters remain. They've climbed into trees. Police are using their bomb squad's "cherry picker" to reach up to get those individuals.

Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, the protesters had been camped out near L.A. city hall for two months. Some have vowed they will return to the site near city hall, the Times says.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia there have been more than 40 arrests at the Occupy protest site near city hall.